Jerald "Jerry" Atkinson

Mr. Jerald “Jerry” Anthony Atkinson, 72, passed away Thursday, February 26, 2026, at his home in Winston-Salem. He was born in Columbia, SC to the late Aubrey and Wyarian Atkinson on June 21, 1953.

Jerry graduated from Boyden High School, Salisbury NC in 1971. He was a talented craftsman and entrepreneur who owned and operated Atkinson Custom Homes, LLC. Previously, he worked in the furniture industry, served as a firefighter for the City of Lexington, and ran a farrier business. Jerry took pride in hard work and doing things well, always with a project underway—whether creating beautiful furniture or growing delicious vegetables in his garden.

Creative and resourceful, Jerry could envision a finished project long before he ever hammered the first nail. His work left a meaningful mark on North Carolina: he handcrafted the staircase for the Bob Timberlake Museum in Lexington and built the first fully solar home in the state, featured in Solar Today Magazine. One of the projects closest to his heart is the home he built in Winston-Salem with his wife Robin – a place that will remain a welcoming gathering place for family and friends.

Fitness was a lifelong passion. Jerry loved running and walking with his dog at Salem Lake. He enjoyed grilling – often with a chicken on the grill on Sunday afternoons. He loved Carolina blue skies and spending time in the mountains and at the beach, places that brought him peace and happiness. Fun-loving and charismatic, he remained playful and quick to smile even in his last days, beloved for his genuine humor and warmth.

Above all else, Jerry was a devoted family man. He cherished the 38 years of marriage he shared with Robin. He was immensely proud of his daughters’ academic and professional accomplishments, and of the wonderful mothers they became. And he had an especially close and loving relationship with his late father-in-law, Robert Almond.

Jerry dearly loved his “furbabies.” One of his last accomplishments was ensuring his beloved dog, Lois, became a certified therapy dog. It meant so much to him that she would offer others the same comfort and companionship she gave him.

Left to cherish Jerry’s memory are his wife, Robin Almond Atkinson of Winston-Salem; daughters, Katharine Moran Atkinson Quince of Portland, Oregon and Mary Layton “Mel” Atkinson of Charlotte; grandchildren, Aubrey Quince and Claire Atkinson; brothers, Andy Atkinson (Ada) and Tom Atkinson (Jill); sister-in-law, Barbara Trent (Don); cousins, Mike Craig, Rebecca Nicholson, Steven Craig, Cherri Scharnberg, Kathy and Barry Weaver; furbabies, Lois Jane and Ruby Clair; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his great-nephew, Carter Poelling.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, 3315 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trellis Supportive Care, Cancer Services Inc. of Winston-Salem and/or the Forsyth Humane Society.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the Novant Cancer Institute, Oncology Nurses and staff who also supported them throughout Jerry’s illness.